For the Ancient Romans the Appian Way was never a simple road. It’s path touched different towns and villages, its dark stones trodden by armies of legionaries and travellers, a place where writers met.

Goethe, crossing it and admiring its remains, wrote on 11 November 1786: "these men worked for posterity".

​And in reference to the Appian Way in its entirety – a new journey to enjoy away from the frenetic pace of the city, to rediscover the pleasure of walking as well as learning. The Latin poet Horace said: "the Appian Way, however, is less tiring for those who travel slowly".

This is one of the most intact sections of the Appia away from Rome in the countryside, immersed in a romantic, timeless solitude. The highlight of this unique tour is that you will be walking on (or admiring) actual stretches of the ancient Appian Way situated between two ancient towns in the attractive Latina province. ​

Terracina: the ancient Appian Way climbed over the mountain behind the hill where the sanctuary of Anxur (visitable) is visible. Emperor Trajan changed the course of the Appia by cutting the cliff, called Pesco Montano, still visible today. The ancient city is located high up, while the village built by Pope Pius VI remains at the ancient port of Trajan. The Via Appia entered the city though Via della Stazione, Via Porta Romana and Corso Garibaldi. The watchtower on the Via Appia before entering the Roman circle, from the Republican era, is perfectly preserved. Piazza del Duomo, the ancient city forum, preserves the original floor, part of which consists of the paved base of the Via Appia that crossed it on one side.

Fondi: remarkable Roman walls with large towers. The chessboard plan of the town follows the Roman one. Here, as in Terracina, the Appia crossed the city. There are also notable medieval monuments including the castle of the Caetani and the Colonna. The current road perfectly follows the ancient one up to the Valle di Sant'Andrea. The original stretch of the Appian Way (Corso Appio Claudio) is underneath the present day street, so as you walk along it you'll be walking on top of an important piece of history.

If one wanted to cover the entire Appian Way in Lazio, continuing on to Formia and Minturno -visiting Cicero's tomb in Formia and the archaeological park at Minturno, (the Roman cistern in Formia is currently only open at weekends) - then two days would be required with overnight stay - please inquire.

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highlights

Walk in the footsteps of Roman soldiers along a well-preserved section of the Appian Way.

take a coffee on the best surviving, largely intact Roman Forum in Terracina's old town square.